systems that have been handed over orally from
one generation to another. Evidently, every religion
hands over teachings orally from generation to gen-
eration. However, in the case of WAR, it is con-
ceived to mean that it is localized, not subject to
change, and cannot serve any developmental rele-
vance. But every religion is traditional because all
religions and their teachings evolved out of a tradi-
tion. It is true that WAR is expressed in ritual cere-
monies, festivals, sacred places, religious objects,
arts, music, dance, proverbs, riddles, names of
places, myths, legends, and customs, and in all
aspects of life. Yet like every worthy religion, WAR
is a blend of tradition with contemporary ideas. To
locate WAR within a domain is to hide its univer-
salistic tendency. This issue is pertinent in the con-
temporary academy because Africa is fast becoming
the world market of ideas; hence, there is the need
to put issues of religion in proper perspectives.
Definition and NamingIt is now known that there are substances and
relics of WAR among Africans in the diaspora scat-
tered all over the Caribbean, Brazil, America, and
Europe. An analytical definition of what WAR
should be viz-à-viz other world religions such as
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism, and
many others is a compelling task.
Most religions have names branded after
founders, gurus, or rabbis through whom the reli-
gions were brought into being. Out of the teach-
ing of some founders, ideologies emerged out of
which names were coined. For example, there
cannot be Christianity without Jesus Christ, nor
would there be Islam without Mohammed. But
WAR was not founded by a particular individual,
although some individuals and supernatural
beings have contributed to the richness of the reli-
gion. The roles of various strata of the religion are
named in reverse order of superiority.
MagicandMedicine
Some charms, magical and medicinal prepara-
tions that are effectual for a long time, can be ven-
erated. These are principally supernatural objects
used during war and for security purposes. These
objects are believed to be powerful, but they could
be volatile and dangerous. Rituals are performed
to forestall evil occurrences in the family or society
where institutionalized magic or charms are kept.
Sacrifices may also be offered to activate them
when they seem impotent. For example, a magical
preparation meant to be used during war should
be offered sacrifice even during peaceful times.
Refusal to offer sacrifice to it, it is believed, may
stimulate war and acrimony.Ancestors
Also called the living dead, ancestors are called
Iserun or Babanla wa(Yoruba) and Nsamanfo
(Akan). They are believed to be the closest link
between the living and the Dead, Heaven and
Earth. There is the strong belief that the ancestors
are benevolent spirits. They return to their human
families from time to time because, symbolically,
they are believed to be always present and spiritu-
ally in control of the family’s affairs. Thus, in times
of trouble, a client may be required to perform
sacrifice foroku orun(his parents in Heaven) as
the only panacea to the problem. Sometimes fail-
ure to connect with the ancestors through prayer
and sacrifices is believed to lead to catastrophe.Divinities
Divinities are collectively calledabosom(Akani),
orisa(Yoruba), andvudu(Ewe-Fon). Some of them
are believed to be supernatural beings, forces, or
nature spirits that control the affairs of the cosmos.
Divinities were brought into being by Olodumare,
and some participated in the work of creation and
continue to intervene in the affairs of human
beings. These divinities are in great number because
they are in every facet of human endeavors. For
example, Ogun is in charge of warfare, hunting,
and modern technology; and Orunmila is in
charge of wisdom, destiny of humanity, and agri-
culture. Asase Yaa is an Earth goddess. These
divinities are held to be messengers of the Supreme
Being and guardians of human beings.SupremeBeing
Nyame (Akan), Mawu (Ewe), Nyonmo(Ga),
Chukwu(Igbo),Ngewo(Mende), andOlodumare
(Yoruba) are some of the names used for the
Supreme Deity in West Africa. Is the Supreme Being712 West African Religion